Disgraced Dodgers Interpreter Implicates Shohei Ohtani, Blames ‘Lifestyle’ For Illegal Gambling In Confession Release
Forbes • • sports
Key Points:
- Shohei Ohtani was accused of paying off a $4.5 million sports gambling debt through his long-time interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, but federal investigators later cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing.
- Mizuhara initially confessed to helping Ohtani pay off the gambling debt in increments but then admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account without his knowledge.
- Audio from a 2024 phone conversation between Mizuhara and reporter Tisha Thompson was released in the podcast "The Betrayal Of Shohei Ohtani," revealing Mizuhara’s detailed account of his gambling troubles and theft.
- Mizuhara explained his financial struggles despite earning $85,000 annually as Ohtani’s interpreter and expressed fear of disappointing Ohtani, whom he considered like a brother.
- Mizuhara was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay nearly $17 million in restitution to Ohtani, who maintained he was unaware of the money transfers due to Mizuhara’s intentional concealment.
